How many The Legend of Zelda games are there?

The Legend of Zelda is a popular game series. First game The Legend of Zelda is released in 1986. All series of game are released and developed by Nintendo. Game series is a good combination of puzzle solving, adventure and action. Main character is Link. Main mission is rescuing Princess Zelda. Game sold over 67 million copies till first release. Series became one of the most selling games in Nes history and “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” became highest reviewed video game of all time. How many The Legend of Zelda games are there?


There are 16 main games and various spin-offs for this series. First game “The Legend of Zelda” is released for Famicom Disk System of Nintendo. Also a cartridge USA version is released on same year. Game made a commercial success and after three months of release, Nintendo announced that a hidden “Second Quest”is possible on game by finishing all levels or writing the quest name as “ZELDA”. In “Second Quest” gameplay is harder and some items are in different places.
After first game’s success, Nintendo released “Zelda II: The Adventure of Link” in 1988. There were a Japan Famicom release and European Nintendo Entertainment System release of game. Gameplay was one of the first examples for RPG elements. Also Nintendo released the cartridges of games in gold color and it was the first time Nintendo did it.

Game affected the game world for three years and a new hit “The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past” is released in 1991. It was the first Zelda game with alternative world concept as “the Dark World”. Game released for SNES and re-released for Game Boy Advance. All versions became best-seller with over 4 million sells and became one of the most popular games in gaming history.
Nintendo returned to Zelda Series with “The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening” in 1993. Game is released for Game Boy and it became the first Zelda game released for handheld console. Game is mainly in action-adventure category. But dungeons and bosses are harder than other Zelda games. Also it was the first time Link was able to steal something from shops. Game sold 6 million copies all over the world and reviewed as one of the best games in gaming history.

“The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” is released in 1998. Game first released for Nintendo 64 video game console. It was the first Zelda game with 3D graphics. Game brought some developments to 3D game systems like context-sensitive buttons and target lock system. Guinness World Records declared that highest-rated game ever reviewed is Ocarina of Time. After two adventure based games, Nintendo focused on puzzles and players need to solve lots of puzzle on game.
“The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” is released in 2000 and it’s a sequel of “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time”. Majora’s Mask couldn’t take high rates like its predecessor for its gameplay but developed graphics as texture mapping and complex framebuffer effects was ahead of its time. Reviewers found the game as “the saddest Zelda game ever”.
Series followed by “Oracle of Seasons and Ages” in 2001, “The Wind Waker” in 2002, “Four Swords Adventures” and “The Minish Cap” in 2004, “Twilight Princess” in 2006, “Phantom Hourglass” in 2007, “Spirit Tracks” in 2009, “Ocarina of Time 3D”, “Four Swords Anniversary Edition” and “Skyward Sword” in 2011,
Legend of the Zelda also became a popular culture icon. Books, TV Series and music are released on the Legend of the Zelda game series.